Q

In the image above, A and B are the same color.

And no, I’m not shitting you.

Here’s a cropped picture, FROM THE SAME IMAGE, with A and B side by side.

Right now, you’re probably like What. The. F- Also, frantically rechecking the first image. Nothing has changed. But it’s true all the same. Block A and B ARE of the same colour.

Apparently this is some mindfuck effect your brain conjures up. Because we are aware of the shadow cast by the green pillar on block B, we automatically assume that B is a shade lighter than it actually is, and therefore perceive block B as the lighter shade.

Classic case of perception v.s actuality. What is even more fascinating is that even when you KNOW they’re the same color, you still can’t see it that way.

It might help if you remove the illusion of a shadow:

It’s starting to look slightly more plausible, but you still perceive it in different shades.

Even if I use the same color block to establish a link between the two blocks:

Your brain tricks you into thinking there’s a color gradient on the link – BUT NO. IT IS THE SAME FREAKING COLOR. Is this amazing or what?

A CLOSE UP:

NOW ARE YOU CONVINCED.

Go back to the original image. Still different. Seriously the human mind is amazing with deception.

Edit: OKAY EVERYONE REFUSES TO BELIEVE THAT IT’S THE SAME COLOR AND INSISTS IT’S PHOTOSHOPPED. This is v interesting, considering the extent to which our brain can fully convince us into believing something other than the plain truth. OMG I AM EXCITES AT THIS DISCOVERY. The human brain is so immensely capable of eschewing and manipulating your perception that you should never ever be sure again if what you know is what it is.

I need to go toilet now